Lot 52
Taichi Series - Shadow Boxing
JU Ming (Taiwanese, 1938 - 2023)
1994
Bronze, edition no. 9/20
23(L) x 16(W) x 30(H) cm (left)
32(L) x 13(W) x 24(H) cm (right)
60(L) x 21.5(W) x 6(H) cm (base)
Estimate
TWD 1,820,000-2,470,000
HKD 480,000-650,000
USD 63,200-85,500
Sold Price
TWD 2,444,444
HKD 660,000
USD 84,833
Signature
+ OVERVIEW
Ju Ming's famous sculptures, "Taichi Series", have made him an esteemed carving master worldwide. As he performed with knife and ax chopping and chiseling giant pieces of wood, he creates a visualized and artistic of Taichi which embodies a chinese philosophiced outlook on life. these pieces belong to the later stage of Ju Ming's "Taichi Series" of single and double figures.
In this work, "Taichi Series - Shadow Boxing", one figure is poised in a forward lunge, making an attack, while the other poses in a defensive position that is still, yet suggests motion. The continuity of Yin and Yang is embodied in these postures of attack and defense, forward and backward motion. In his creations, Ju Ming has fully captured the underlying essence of Taichi. As the renowned art historian Michael Sullivan said: "In his Taichi Series, this conflict of forces is explicit, in the dualism of the figures who thrust and retreat, give and take, in a dynamic relationship with one another. An invisible electric current seems to flow between them."
Mastering the spirit of Taichi and the concept of forms, Ju Ming's creations grew increasingly confident and refined, reaching a realm where he "carves at will", oblivious of himself. With a few clean marks of chopping, peeling and splitting, the sense of movement and weight is expressed. In this lot, the Taichi sparring represents two fighting forms possessing both calmness and dynamism.
Modern & Contemporary Art
Ravenel Spring Auction 2011 Hong Kong
Monday, May 30, 2011, 11:30am